PORT ST. LUCIE — Ryota Igarashi took his first small step in a Mets uniform, pitching a scoreless ninth inning for the save in a 4-2 victory over the Braves in the Grapefruit League opener.

Igarashi, who is a candidate to assume the setup role, walked a batter but did not allow a hit.

“I mostly used the fastball,” said Igarashi, who also features a split-fingered pitch. “I would like to use the splitter more. This wasn’t my normal pitching. A lot had to do with being a little nervous coming in.”

Jerry Manuel scrapped his original lineup, which had included many of his starters, because of wet field conditions. Russ Adams hit a solo homer in the eighth to give the Mets a cushion.

“I liked the life on [Igarashi’s] fastball,” Manuel said. “The first game you just kind of look for stuff, command and those types of things of being what they were. He didn’t seem to panic or anything like that, so I think he’ll be OK.”

Ike Davis made a strong debut by going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Davis started at first base and played the entire game.

“There’s a lot of excitement around when we mention his name,” Manuel said. “I’d like to see him as much as possible, just to get a feel for him.”

Elmer Dessens took a line drive off the left knee from Brian McCann in the third inning and was forced to leave the game, but wasn’t seriously injured, according to Manuel.